A Gps device without maps is in fact a GPS device. A GPS device with maps is a chartplotter. In the automotive realm I understand that not having maps would be against the point of having the unit but in terms of Aviation, Marine and Outdoor use it is very sensible when using maps and charts to have a GPS device that simply provides location. That is why the vast majority of automotive products come preloaded and the other sectors may not. In fact an increasing number of the units in Marine Aviation and Outdoor are now coming preloaded as well. There is also the option to purchase units without mapping installed. Generally this decision is based on price rather than utility. Also you have oversimplified the unlock process as many of the maps are either not locked or are able to be unlocked to multiple units(2). The exception tends to be the automotive mapping which is less expensive and sold in single license versions. Also Adobe is a software company for computers. The GPS device is not a computer and this model does not work the same as with GPS devices for many reasons. Also Garmin does not own the data in the mapping and therefore licensing restrictions are generally negotiated by the mapping company (Navteq, Tele Atlas, Explorer, etc)
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JB @ Nov 23rd 2007 12:26AM
A Gps device without maps is in fact a GPS device. A GPS device with maps is a chartplotter. In the automotive realm I understand that not having maps would be against the point of having the unit but in terms of Aviation, Marine and Outdoor use it is very sensible when using maps and charts to have a GPS device that simply provides location. That is why the vast majority of automotive products come preloaded and the other sectors may not. In fact an increasing number of the units in Marine Aviation and Outdoor are now coming preloaded as well. There is also the option to purchase units without mapping installed. Generally this decision is based on price rather than utility.
Also you have oversimplified the unlock process as many of the maps are either not locked or are able to be unlocked to multiple units(2). The exception tends to be the automotive mapping which is less expensive and sold in single license versions.
Also Adobe is a software company for computers. The GPS device is not a computer and this model does not work the same as with GPS devices for many reasons. Also Garmin does not own the data in the mapping and therefore licensing restrictions are generally negotiated by the mapping company (Navteq, Tele Atlas, Explorer, etc)